Samsung facing EU complaint, Apple patent rejected

Samsung is facing an antitrust complaint in the EU regarding FRAND patents, and Apple had a patent rejected by the US Patent Office. Yeah, it's going to be one of those...

The European Union will soon bring an antitrust complaint against Samsung over its use of FRAND patents in legal actions against Apple. Earlier this week, Samsung announced that they would withdraw injunction attempts against Apple that were based on standards-essential patents in Europe, but the EU is still investigating them over whether the seeking such injunctions in the first place is harmful to competition.

Apple has had a patent rejected by the US Patent Office. The patent in question is the so-called pinch-to-zoom patent. For now, Apple can still use the patent in legal actions, as it as only been rejected, not invalidated. The invalidation of the patent would cause trouble for Apple in their infringement victory over Samsung earlier this year, perhaps shrinking the $1.049 billion awarded by the jury. However, a possible invalidation will have to follow the reexamination of the patent. Apple is currently talking ot the Patent Office about the patent, and will be able to fight for its validity or to change the language on the patent in order to keep it relevant to the Samsung case.

Reader comments

Samsung facing EU complaint, Apple patent rejected

Honestly, this whole patent thing is now out of control. Apple, Samsung and all these tech companies need to find a way stop the madness. I know we're talking big money and all, but still I'd love to see this stuff just stop.

I don't have a problem with a company that USES its patents from protecting their ideas. What I have a problem with are the patent trolls that just buy or create tons of patents with no desire to do anything but sue someone else who creates the item later on.

Also, I have a problem with the idea of patenting stuff that can't even be built yet due to technology constraints.